City Government Committed to Improving Energy Efficiency

In September 2002, Salem officially joined Cities for Climate Protection, and committed itself to reducing the amount of energy used in municipal operations. The city's commitment to conserving energy has two positive consequences: a reduction in the emission of greenhouse gasses, which cause global warming, and significant savings to the city budget. SAFE is working with the city to support these efforts.

In January 2003, SAFE partnered with the city and Salem State College to assist the city in completing a municipal energy audit. Since then, through the college geography department, three students have documented gasand oil, electricity, and fuel use across city operations. The energy audit will provide baseline data that the city can use to measure its progress in reaching its energy conservation goals.

While conducting the energy audit, the city also began to reduce energy consumption. Under the leadership of city electrician John Giardi, the city worked with Mass Electric to retrofit the lighting fixtures in the two municipal garages, saving more than $20,000 per year. In addition, traffic lights are being replaced with energy-efficient LED bulbs, and the inefficient and expensive electric heating system at the high school is being replaced with an efficient gas unit, saving thousands of dollars in yearly school expenses.

SAFE supported the city's effort to win state funds to build an environmentally friendly and energy efficient elementary school. Opened in Fall 2004, the Carlton School features solar panels and a small wind turbine, examples of renewable energy sources that produce zero greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2005, SAFE plans to work with the city to complete its Local Climate Action Plan, which will set a target for energy use reductions and specific action steps for meeting that target.